Rated Rx

As I compiled my list for this month, I couldn’t help but think of my first exposure to the wacky tobaccy…it was at the Rolling Stones’ Voodoo Lounge concert then-Joe Robbie Stadium in 1994. I smelled something that wasn’t quite cigarette smoke…I forget who I was with at the time (Sam - were you with me at this one? Or was it your brother? [Sam: it was my brother])….but one of the friends who was next time pointed out that it was pot smoke. That distinctive smell wouldn’t be the last time I’d encounter it. And with that minor delving into reefer madness, I present to you…my list of songs to which I dare you to “just say no…”

BORN STONED by The Push Kings
This song came off of The Push Kings’ last album, “Feel No Fade.” Who were The Push Kings? One of the best power-pop groups from the late 90s. The members were all from Harvard…one of them lived a couple of floors down from me in my building. Their music had twinges of The Beatles (it didn’t hurt that one of the lead singers sounded a LOT like Paul McCartney), ELO, and Wings. This song was a Cheap Trick-esque homage to getting high and being stoned…new territory lyric-wise for the band…probably an attempt to get away from the glossier pop that comprised much of their first two albums. Alas, it was be their swan song…

WHITE LADY WHITE POWDER by Elton John
This is a deep cut from one of Elton’s many comeback albums in the 80s…1980’s “21 at 33″ to be exact. Bernie Taupin weaves a story about a love triangle between a man, his woman, and disco dust…something that Elton had dabbled in quite a bit (in more ways than one)…especially during the early 80s. It was never released as a single here in the U.S., but an attempt was made in the UK…but to little success due to the song’s subject matter.

ALL THE COCAINE IN THE WORLD by The Webb Brothers
This hymn-like ode to cocaine is the prettiest song ever you’ll ever hear composed about the drug. The Webb Brothers (Jimmy “MacArthur Park” Webb’s sons) recorded this short, but sweet ditty deddicated to devil’s dandruff. (Yay, alliteration!)

MIRACLE MEDICINE by Jason Falkner
Time to move into the addictive world of prescription drugs here thanks to Jason Falkner, one of the best singer-songwriters that most people have never heard of. Falkner was in Jellyfish and The Grays, but really blossomed once he went solo. This is a track from his 1996 solo debut “Author Unkown.” Probably the only song in history that name checks nembutal, demerol, and codeine in the same line!

WANDERLUST by Paul McCartney
Not all is fun in games in the world of drugs as evidenced in this Paul McCartney about a drug bust. I believe (correct me if I’m wrong, Rudi) that this song was inspired by a drug bust that almost occurred when Wings was recording the “London Town” album on Paul’s yacht (called Wanderlust). It’s certainly the most regal and classy recounting of getting busted…not quite the same as “Bad Boys.”

DON’T BOGART ME (aka “DON’T BOGART THAT JOINT”) by Robert Bradley
L.A. readers of this blog will probably recognize this song as the tune that closes the Friday morning broadcast of “The Kevin and Bean Show” on KROQ-FM. I think the title says it all…bottom line…don’t hog your weed! This recording was taken from a live performance of the song by Robert Bradley on Kevin and Bean’s show.

EVERYBODY TODAY IS TURNING ON by Bea Arthur and Rock Hudson
This number is from the musical “I Love My Wife” and comes courtesy of a clip from “The Beatrice Arthur Special” that has made the rounds on the Internet. Bea Arthur and Rock Hudson sing together on this clever tune about 70s drug slang. Rock Hudson singing about poppers/amyl nitrate?!? (Insert joke here) And R.I.P. Bea, you’ll be sorely missed…

PLOP, PLOP, FIZZ, FIZZ by Speedy
To close things out, here’s a little reminder about what drug to soothe the indigestion that may have been caused by listening to my list. Oh what a relief it is!

Download: The Push Kings, “Born Stoned” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Elton John, “White Lady White Powder” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: The Webb Brothers, “All The Cocaine In The World” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Jason Falkner, “Miracle Medicine” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Paul McCartney, “Wanderlust” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Robert Bradley, “Don’t Bogart Me (aka “Don’t Bogart That Joint”)” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Bea Arthur and Rock Hudson, Everybody Today Is Turning On” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Speedy, “Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download a handy ZIP of all of the songs:

Download: Rated Rx (ZIP)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)